By Divine Design: Discover Your Child's Uniqueness

This January 2001 Chicago Tribune headline described the $450 million dollar endorsement deal signed by tennis star Venus Williams. Later in the article the writer made this comment.

"There has never been a female equivalent, as a performer or as a product endorser. With her personality, skill, worldwide recognition, and tendency to be a bit controversial...'You have players who are as good as Venus, but they don't have the personality or the total package,' said Keith Davis, the attorney who negotiated the Reebok contract for Williams."

While she is an outstanding tennis player, Venus is also unique. But so is your child, even though she may never sign a $40 million endorsement deal.

Recognize that Your Child Is Unique

Your child is uniquely created by God and has a purpose that only she can fulfill. Isn't that amazing to think about? You have the incredible privilege of being a steward of the life of a person sent on a mission by God. Paul captured that thought in his letter to the church at Ephesus: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). That verse describes every individual. It includes you and your child as well. Don't move past that spiritual and practical reality too quickly.

As you wake up every day and look at, listen to, and talk with your child, never forget that she is special. Remembering that will help you get through the mundane activities of life with a little more zeal and sense of purpose. Try to not lose the wonder of that fact.

Celebrate Your Child's Uniqueness

If you don't lose the wonder, it will help you find a spirit of celebration more than consternation during the joys and challenges of your daily responsibilities. I love the way the psalmist celebrates his uniqueness in a way that all of us can learn from as parents.

For You formed my inward parts...
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substances;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
~Psalm 139:13-16

Remember how you treat fine china or special jewelry? You handle these objects with a spirit of care and precision. Even on your worst days, you probably have not thrown your china across the room or carelessly handled an expensive watch. Your child is far more important and special than any piece of fine china or jewelry you will ever own or see in your lifetime. Celebrate that reality.

Tell your child how unique and special she is. Share your recognition of the uniqueness of your child with other people.

Your continual acknowledgement of this reality will make some very important deposits into your child's bank and serve her well for years to come. Make sure your child knows that even if no one else recognizes her uniqueness, you do.